Before the door could swing wide open, Olivia acted quickly. She knew that even if she sat there with Avelvion or claimed to be his study partner, someone like Duke Herold would definitely find it suspicious.

No matter how Avelvion’s logic tried to blind the man... it was not that easy for a man so meticulous and full of authority.

Then, without thinking twice, she grabbed the book and crawled under the large table. Her breath was held, her hands gripping the book so tightly as if afraid it would slip from her arms.

The metallic scent of blood still lingered on her fingertips, but she no longer cared about the smell.

From under the table, her gaze could only see the shadow of shoes stopping not far from her. Her heart beat wildly. It felt as if her heart was no longer inside, but on the outside. Allowing it to be heard in that silent atmosphere.

Don’t move.... Don’t, please...

She whispered.

I’m dead, if I move even a little,

Olivia said while covering her mouth with both hands while hugging the book tightly.

If I move just now, confirm he will look down under the table..." she whispered. Her breath was held, her whole face began to break out in a cold sweat, as if the presence of the pair of feet right in front of her had changed the environment to become cold.

Then,

Avelvion looked straight into Duke Herold’s eyes sharply.

"I get bored quickly studying in the same place every night," he said bluntly. Duke Herold did not answer, he only stared at the small body in front of him. Then, a smirk formed on the corner of his lips. Cynical. However, Avelvion just ignored that reaction.

He slowly took a step and stopped right at the edge of the table, then leaned his body down slightly to be level with Prince Avelvion.

"How strange... why do I feel like Your Highness is not the only one here?"

Duke Herold whispered in a very low tone, his eyes sharp staring towards the space under the large table. His fingers that were flipping through the paper trembled slightly then, he hid his hands.

Avelvion looked up, his face feigning confusion.

"Maybe it is just the Duke’s imagination. After all, isn’t this place haunted just like the Duke said?" Avelvion said while looking back at the thick book in front of him seriously.

However, his heart beat fast as Duke Herold walked around the table. He tried hard not to do anything that could raise suspicion.

"Are you sure, Your Highness?" He asked again. Avelvion nodded. For a moment they were silent. Duke Herold said nothing. He just remained silent as if that was not the reaction he wanted to give.

Duke Herold smiled widely while staring at Avelvion.

Hmmm..... is this kid for real?

Let’s see if this small head can lie to me.....

Duke Herold said in his thoughts. He rubbed his chin slowly while staring into the distance. Olivia who was under the table remained silent without making any sound. Then, Duke Herold spoke again.

"It seems, I was wrong Your Highness....." he said while lifting his hand to the edge of the table. Then softly his fingers were dragged slowly along the edge of the table, towards Avelvion who was staring at his dark green book.

Sritttttt ...

The sound of the hand dragging was heard right above Olivia’s head. Olivia’s eyes snapped open. Shocked to hear that dragging sound. She held her chest to keep her breath from coming out. Olivia tilted her head up slowly while trembling.

"Your Highness, it seems Your Highness is tired of studying...."

"How about I guide you," he said with a low but pressing voice. While his head was tilted down. As if wanting to see something under the table.

His calm eyes observed if there were any movements or sounds coming from under the table. The closer he got to Avelvion, the louder the hand dragging he made became.

Thump.... Thump

Olivia’s heartbeat grew louder.

I’m done!!

She said in her heart while her eyes followed the pair of feet not far from her..

Olivia pulled her legs in a bit to avoid being seen. Avelvion who was staring at the book was no longer focused, his eyes were blurred. His pupils trembled slowly. His mouth was locked. His chest felt tight seeing the pair of green eyes approaching him.

How is this..... how is this...

He said in his mind. He looked at each object on the table and near him.

Think.... Think....

His eyes scanned for something that could distract the attention of the man who seemed to have lost control in front of him. However, the only things near him were the thick book.

Book, pen

His eyes looked right at the edge of the table.

Ink!!

He said in his heart, he smiled with joy inside his heart. Coincidentally the ink was right at the edge of the table aligned with Duke Herold’s direction.

Srittttt....

Getting closer....

Closer....

And closer....

Now, Duke Herold was right beside Avelvion. His eyes stared sharply at Avelvion who was looking down. Then, he smiled.

"Let’s see, who is first?" Duke Herold said. The corner of his lips formed a very terrifying smile. The lamplight that cast light on the book was now blocked by the authoritative man beside him, making it a bit dark.

The written words were also hard to see. Duke Herold was silent and did not move. As if he was not a normal person.

"Your Highness, why are you silent?..." Duke Herold added while staring sharply as if the person staring was no longer Duke Herold himself.

"Is it true that Your Highness is not alone here?..." He said then whispered into Avelvion’s ear.

" Under the table... right??" He whispered then slowly lifted his head while impatiently waiting to see Avelvion’s reaction.

Shocked, right?....

He said in his heart while smiling looking at Avelvion’s face that was looking down. Then, Avelvion tilted his head up slowly, Duke Herold’s eyes opened wide.

Then narrowed them again. He furrowed his brow.

Was my gut feeling wrong??!.....

He asked himself in his heart. As if not believing what he saw now. Avelvion seemed to know he would look down then slowly touched the back of Olivia who was facing away from him.

He tapped softly twice.

Does he realize it or not!!

Avelvion grumbled, feeling annoyed looking at Duke Herold who was frozen beside him.

Olivia was shocked when her back was touched.

She turned quickly looking behind her. She was confused, not understanding what he wanted to say to her. Then, she pinched Avelvion’s toe that had tapped her back.

Ow!!

Avelvion’s voice came out of his mouth. Avelvion was stunned.

Aish! Damn, it’s over!

Avelvion said in his heart with annoyance.

Immediately, Duke Herold shifted his gaze towards Avelvion.

Weird....

"Your Highness, why the sudden pain?" He said. While staring coldly at him.

Olivia went silent. Avelvion looked straight into Duke Herold’s eyes while showing his red eyes.

"Suddenly I feel like vomiting," he said softly. One of his arms on top was reaching for something. Meanwhile, his other hand was placed below to give Olivia the signal to go hide far from the table.

(Go) With his hand gesturing like shooing her away.

( Hide ) While his hand pointed towards the nearby bookshelf.

Olivia with just one look immediately understood the signal. Her eyes shone with joy. She waited for the right chance to crawl towards the first bookshelf right in front of her.

On the table, Avelvion pretended to hold his stomach as if about to vomit. Duke Herold stepped closer for a moment to see his condition. He touched his shoulder to help Avelvion.

His hands were fumbling as a sign to hold his vomit from coming out. Knowing Duke Herold’s attention was on Avelvion, Olivia slowly crawled towards the bookshelf.

Her hands were still holding the book tightly.

She no longer looked back. She kept moving forward as long as Duke Herold’s attention was still on Avelvion.

Suddenly,

Splash!!

In an instant, the room went silent. Avelvion’s eyes opened wide looking at Duke Herold’s dark brown suit. A patch of black ink covered part of his brown suit.

Finally... I managed to do it ...

Pro right ...

Avelvion said in his thoughts.

Olivia quickly crawled and immediately went behind the bookshelf. She took a breath slowly. Then,

PAKKKK!!

The sound echoed throughout the room. Olivia immediately looked through the gaps of the books. Avelvion was silent, his body frozen. His cheek felt hot and stinging. His eyes were wide open.

The impact of the strong slap caused Avelvion’s head to jerk to the side.

His ears rang, preventing him from hearing what Duke Herold said at first. The corner of his lip felt slightly split, and a small drop of blood began to flow out.

"How rude.." a single sentence came from Duke Herold’s throat who was staring at Avelvion. Avelvion looked up slowly at Duke Herold’s face.

Those eyes stared at him with full disgust and contempt. Avelvion was stunned and looked down.

"I’m sorry, Your Highness,... but that thing was not funny at all," Duke Herold said coldly. Olivia, who witnessed everything from between the books on the shelf, felt her heart stop beating.

The ’PAKKKK!’ sound seemed to echo inside her own head. She saw Avelvion’s white cheek start to turn red, and those burning red eyes... it was not just anger, but also full of deep disappointment and sadness.

Olivia’s fingers that were still holding the book trembled violently. She wanted to scream, and wanted to rush out and push Duke Herold to protect the little child... but she knew, she couldn’t. She could only bite her bottom lip hard.

Im sorry im sorry...

Olivia said, feeling powerless to help Avelvion.

Then, both of Avelvion’s shoulders were held.

"How pitiful our prince is... without parents’ love, without anyone’s love.... you will never get the feeling of being loved by your parents..."

He said softly while half-whispering into Avelvion’s ear. Avelvion quickly brushed off Duke Herold’s hands. Duke Herold stared at him blankly but, in the depths of his heart, he loved seeing those eyes.

Yes.... this is how it should be..

He said in his heart. Avelvion’s eyes burned red. As if his anger was burning inside those eyes. Duke Herold stood frozen in his place.

Nooooo you’re wrong!!

Avelvion yelled, shouting at Duke Herold.

"Isn’t it true? Your nanny? Isn’t she the only one who loves you?"

Duke Herold said as if mocking Avelvion.

Avelvion did not answer. Silent, but his breath hitched up and down.

Duke Herold then took a handkerchief, wiped the ink stains on his suit calmly as if nothing had happened, then said

"Your Highness... anger is only for the weak. And Your Highness? Yes.... very weak,..."

" If that is so, I will excuse myself, Your Highness" then Duke Herold turned his back and walked towards the entrance.

As soon as the door closed... Olivia came out from the bookshelf and immediately rushed towards Avelvion. Her eyes were full of tears that were ready to fall...